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CLUB MATTER

December 2002

2003 National Skating Week — January 18-26, 2003

As the second annual National Skating Week approaches, U.S. Figure Skating hopes to capitalize on the excitement of a very successful first year. Last year we were fortunate to come on the heels of a triumphant Olympic showing where U.S. figure skaters earned three medals - not the least of which was our own NSW spokesperson, Sarah Hughes, who earned the gold medal.

Along with an array of new program materials, U.S. Figure Skating has partnered with USA Hockey to promote NSW this year. USA Hockey Director of Youth Programs Kevin McLaughlin said that NSW “is a great opportunity for our sports to work together to get more kids on the ice.”

A National Skating Week poster featuring Hughes and Mike Modano, 2002 U.S. Olympic Team men's ice hockey captain, will be sent to every rink in an effort to recruit even more potential athletes to both sports.

Hughes is returning as the official spokesperson again. With a gold medal and a great year of speaking experience under her belt, she will be a terrific role model for thousands of kids across the country.

During NSW last year, clubs and Basic Skills programs in the U.S. hosted more than 100 It's Great to Skate clinics. We expect to more than double that number and reach literally thousands more participants this year.

Every program and club that participated in NSW in 2002 did something different to achieve success. For instance, Colorado Springs area clubs and Basic Skills programs worked together to host clinics and a “Springs Skates Free Day” across the city. Local rinks experienced more than a 50% increase in skating during public sessions! Diana Ronayne, skating director for the World Arena in Colorado Springs, said that this year's plans will be even bigger and better than last year. Meanwhile, Diane Hextall of the High Ridge Figure Skating Club credits their success to having something for everyone.

The success of NSW is one of the reasons the Chevy/U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program reached record numbers this year.

“We were proud to hit the magic number of 100,000 members in our Basic Skills program in 2002, and many of these kids took to the ice for the first time at programs offered during National Skating Week,” said USFSA Director of Membership Development Susi Wehrli. “I encourage everyone to get on board again this year to make 2003 an even bigger success.”

The centerpiece of National Skating Week is the It's Great to Skate recruiting clinic. This brief clinic focuses on giving kids who have never been on the ice the confidence to skate while having fun. This year the curriculum has been expanded to include a more advanced track for those skaters who have a bit more experience. We have also added an off-ice parents' education track. We encourage all programs to take advantage of this additional presentation. This is a great opportunity to register youngsters for your lesson programs as well as allowing you the advantage of educating these potential new members early on.

We hope that all of you take advantage of this opportunity to promote our great sport. Congratulations to those who did a wonderful job last year, and we look forward to an even more successful National Skating Week in January. If you have any questions about National Skating Week or any other membership programs, please contact Senior Director of Membership Development Rose Snyder at rsnyder@usfsa.org.